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My pictures of most of the QPT projects and some of the artisans have been uploaded to a Flickr album. I might pare the numbers down a bit and post to a Facebook album later. I didn’t get everyone’s projects and some shots were a bit awkward to avoid disturbing judging

Presentation scene; detail of a miniature from BL Royal MS 15 E vi, f. 2v. 15th C. Public domain in the US

War was calling. Our enemies were massing far to the east, so our mighty Konung, Duncan Bruce of Logan, mustered our warriors for the long march to that faraway kingdom. Many battles were fought in the great Pennsic War, but this is the tale of one particular battle—a battle for a bridge.

The army of Artemisia had twice our number, nay, tenfold at least, and the only thing holding them back was the churning water of the rain-swollen river. That endless horde, eager to storm across the bridge and slaughter everything in its path, was a chilling sight, but the Calontiri knew no fear. Logan strode to the bridge and hurled a spear toward those shining Artemisian helms with a bellow of “Odin owns you all!”

With a shield-shattering roar, the Calon host charged onto the bridge. The Artemisians could not withstand the Calontiri onslaught. Slowly at first, then with greater speed, the Artemisians fell back as our warriors fought their way across the bridge.

“Arrow!” someone shouted. First one dark missile, then another, arced through the sky then landed harmlessly on upheld Calontiri shields. Logan laughed. “You’ll need more than pointy sticks to send me to Valhalla!” he roared with a deadly swing of his war hammer.

The Artemisians fell back, and back, until the Calon host had nearly reached the far side of the river. “Arrow!” someone called again. This time the sky darkened and the air hissed with dozens of missiles speeding toward the Calontiri. “Shields!” Logan bellowed. Our warriors hunkered beneath as the deadly rain beat against the wood and iron of the Calon shields. That, my friends, is the moment Artemisia charged.

Taken by surprise, the Calontiri fell, one after another joining their dying comrades in the growing river of Calon blood. The survivors retreated, defeat bitter on their tongues. As brave as our warriors are, they might have slunk home in shame, but Logan stood firm. “By Tyr, we will not be beaten!” he shouted. Drawing courage from their Konung’s strength, the Calon host surged forward once again.

As before, the Artemisians staggered under our swords and we forced our way across the bridge. And as before, a flock of fletched missiles darkened the sky. This time we were ready, though. This time, when the Artemisians charged, our warriors met them with deadly steel. This time, the bridge ran slick with Artemisian blood.

And though many Calon warriors found their way to Valhalla, thanks to Logan’s courage, strength and will, no Artemisian crossed that bridge that day.

Sir Cai arranged for his company to allow the SCA to hold a full-on demo at his annual company picnic. Kalmar Industries in Ottawa, KS hosted SCA folk from multiple nearby groups, including the Shire of Carlsby, the Shire of Cum an Iolair, the Shire of Crescent Moon, the Canton of Aston Tor and the Barony of Forgotten Sea. Visitors from distant groups, including the Barony of Vatavia and the Shire of Golden Seas even joined in the fun. This author is certain she has left out some groups, as well. Apologies for that. There were so many people, the demo was certainly the size of a decent event!

Look at all that Meanest Mother Melee fighting!

We had enough people for tourney fighting, cut-and-thrust and archery events side-by-side, multiple-fighter melees, several meanest-mother melees and even some old style Holmgang melees. This author heard laughing and great fun coming from the list field throughout the day. Epic deaths were seen. Even Ottawa residents came to the park, set up their lawn chairs and watched the sport throughout the day, enjoying the unusually mild August weather.

Ottawa’s newest spectator sport

The SCA personnel put on a fine showing of our best artisanry, too. We fully encircled the list fields with pavilions full of our best displays, from scribal arts through a fully functional forge thanks to Baron Lothar! Several people combined their talents to show how wool moves from sheep to fully woven fabric, including spindles, a spinning wheel, and two kinds of looms. Mistress Dorcas provided an entire pavilion of heraldic goodies and information, too.

Amazing fiber arts demo – sheep to shawl!

An all-day chainmail demo by HL Thomas the Black, armoring, sewing, displays of the Baronial coronets, finished garb hanging in the pavilions, and lots of people willing to talk about the SCA and our period of history provided a well-rounded, educational opportunity for the Kalmar employees, their families and others who visited. Many friends and family members of the SCA folks came by to see us, too!

H.L. Thomas the Black and his chain mail demo

Sir Cai graciously printed outstanding informational brochures and amazing laminated SCA bookmarks for us to give to visitors during our recruitment efforts. These proved very popular with the younger set, who also enjoyed the hands-on nature of most of the demo items. Being able to touch real, hand-woven fabric, chainmail, armored fighters and heraldic banners caused more than one young mouth to gape in amazement as they saw storybooks come alive before their eyes. Lady Maegwynn provided heraldic announcements before the fighting, including explanations of the SCA – who we are, what we do, and why the visitors should come around and check out the demos.

Baron Lothar explaining how he is forging his Holder Down Thing

As a reward for our demo, the Kalmar folks provided the SCA demo-ers with a luscious BBQ lunch of pork, turkey, beef and all the sides. Bounce-houses and a bounce-obstacle course for the kids were available, although us adults were sadly not allowed. We debated the wisdom of obtaining ones rated for grownups for the next Tor Party at Lilies.

It was a beautiful day of temperate weather, gentle breezes, great fun fighting and some of the best fun many of us had in a long time. We wish the rest of you had been able to join us! Enjoy the photos – I’ve linked them to my Flickr page, because I took so many. These are just a few teasers.

“What is a Norse court without a skald?” asked Prinz Logan and Prinzessa Ylva.

At the Valor/Bardic Bedlam event, eight weeks after Their ascension to the thrones, the royal couple will hold a skald competition.

They request a story/poem/song/other depicting the glory of a particular person, group, or the Calontir army in general at Lilies War or Pennsic… or some other event that occurred between Crown Tourney and Valor (inclusive). A Norse style is mandatory.

Some “documentation” is a plus, either written or spoken, explaining the historical basis for the piece, but it needn’t be in great depth.

Truth is optional. Exaggeration is expected.

The winner shall be named Skald of Their Majesties’ court, will likely be asked to perform the piece several times during Their reign, and might be asked to sit with Them in court a time or two, on a cushion or stool.

Unknown Artist. Minstrels with a Rebec & a Lute.13th c. Manasseh Codex. El Escorial, Madrid. Public domain in the US